Freshpet, Inc. Reports Second Quarter 2016 Results


Second Quarter Net Sales Increased Approximately 16% to $33.0 Million

Company Reiterates 2016 Guidance

SECAUCUS, N.J., Aug. 04, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Freshpet, Inc. (“Freshpet” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ:FRPT) today reported financial results for its second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2016.

Second Quarter 2016 Financial Highlights Compared to Prior Year Period

  • Net sales were $33.0 million, up 16.4%
  • Net loss was $3.2 million
  • Adjusted EBITDA was $3.5 million, up 24.2%
  • Freshpet Fridges increased 10.0% to 15,795 from 14,354

“Our team made significant progress across key operational and financial business metrics,” said Scott Morris, Freshpet’s President and Chief Operating Officer. “In the second quarter we generated solid net sales and adjusted EBITDA growth as we continued to benefit from increased velocity per fridge and increased store count. We are also pleased with the progress of our plant expansion program and the improvements in quality, logistics, and purchasing which will drive greater efficiencies and leverage across our business model as we improve profitability.”

Second Quarter 2016

Net sales increased 16.4% to $33.0 million for the second quarter of 2016.  Net sales for the quarter were driven by velocity gains and a 10.0% increase in Freshpet Fridge store locations to 15,795 as of June 30, 2016, as compared to the prior year period.

Gross profit was $14.9 million, or 45.2% of net sales, compared to $13.7 million, or 48.2% of net sales, in the same period last year. Start-up costs associated with the expansion of the Company’s Freshpet Kitchens reduced gross margin by approximately 130 basis points in the second quarter of 2016.  The remaining decrease in gross margin was attributable to new product offerings and product mix.

Selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) were $17.9 million compared to $15.7 million in the same period in the prior year. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A decreased to 54.2% for the second quarter of 2016 compared to 55.5% in the second quarter of 2015. Adjusted SG&A, which is a non-GAAP financial measure used by the Company that makes certain adjustments to SG&A calculated under GAAP, decreased as a percentage of net sales to 44.5% compared to 47.3% of net sales in the second quarter of 2015.

Net loss was $3.2 million compared to a net loss of $2.2 million for the same period in 2015. Included in net loss was $2.2 million related to costs associated with the CEO’s retirement, of which $1.6 million was a charge for leadership transition expenses and $0.6 million was related to accelerated noncash stock based compensation.

Adjusted EBITDA was $3.5 million for the second quarter of 2016, compared to $2.8 million in the same period in 2015.  Adjusted EBITDA is a Non-GAAP measure defined under “Non-GAAP Measures,” and is reconciled to net earnings in the financial tables that accompany this release.

First Six Months of 2016

Net sales increased 16.3% to $64.5 million compared to $55.4 million during the first six months of 2015. Net sales for the quarter were driven by velocity gains and the increase of Freshpet Fridge store locations.

Gross profit was $29.8 million, or 46.2% of net sales, compared to $26.9 million, or 48.6% of net sales, in the same period last year. Start-up costs associated with the expansion of the Company’s Freshpet Kitchens reduced gross margin by approximately 100 basis points in the six months ended June 30, 2016. The remaining decrease in margin was attributable to new product offerings and product mix.

SG&A was $34.4 million compared to $31.4 million in the same period last year. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A decreased to 53.3% from 56.7% in the same period last year.  Adjusted SG&A, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, decreased as a percentage of net sales to 46.9% during the six months ended June 30, 2016 compared to 49.3% of net sales in the same period of 2015.

Net loss for the six months ended June 30, 2016 was $5.0 million compared to $4.8 million in the same period of 2015. Net loss in the six months ended June 30, 2016 included $2.3 million related to costs associated with the CEO’s retirement, of which $1.6 million was a charge for leadership transition expenses and $0.7 million was related to accelerated noncash stock based compensation.

Adjusted EBITDA, which is a Non-GAAP financial measure, was $5.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016, compared to $4.8 million in the same period in 2015. 

Cash and Net Debt

During the six months ended June 30, 2016, the Company generated cash of $3.4 million from operations compared to $2.1 million during the same period in 2015. As of June 30, 2016, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $1.7 million and $32.0 million available under its $40.0 million Credit Facilities. The $9.6 million decrease in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments from December 31, 2015 is primarily due to the capital expenditures related to the expansion of the Company’s Freshpet Kitchens in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The Company expects to invest up to $2.5 million during the remainder of 2016 to complete the project on time and on budget.  The total drawn from the Credit Facilities is expected to be repaid by the first half of 2017.

Outlook

The Company reiterated its guidance for 2016.  For full year 2016, the Company expects the following results compared to the prior year:

  • To exceed net sales of $137 million, an increase of approximately 18%
  • To exceed Adjusted EBITDA of $18.5 million, an increase of approximately 67%
  • To exceed Freshpet fridges of 16,600, an increase of approximately 10%

The Company does not provide guidance for the most directly comparable GAAP measure, net income, and similarly cannot provide a reconciliation between its forecasted Adjusted EBITDA and net income metrics without unreasonable effort due to the unavailability of reliable estimates for certain items, such as non-cash gains or losses resulting from mark-to-market adjustments of warrants. These items are not within the Company’s control and may vary greatly between periods and could significantly impact future financial results.

Conference Call and Webcast

The Company will host a conference call with members of the executive management team to discuss these results with additional comments and details. The conference call is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. ET on Thursday, August 4, 2016. To participate on the live call listeners in North America may dial (844) 452-6821 and international listeners may dial (724) 924-4985; the passcode is 40701474.

In addition, the call will be broadcast live over the Internet hosted at the "Investor" section of the Company's website at www.freshpet.com and will be archived online through August 18, 2016. A telephonic playback will be available from 8 p.m. ET on August 4, 2016, through August 11, 2016. North American listeners may dial (855) 859-2056 and international listeners may dial (404) 537-3406 the passcode is 40701474.

About Freshpet


Freshpet has a single-minded mission – to improve the lives of dogs and cats everywhere through the power of fresh, natural food. Packed with vitamins and proteins, Freshpet foods offer fresh meats, poultry, and vegetables farmed locally. At our Freshpet Kitchens, we thoughtfully prepare these natural ingredients and everyday essentials, cooking them in small batches at lower temperatures to preserve key nutrients. That way, your pet gets the best. Freshpet refrigerated foods and treats are kept cool from the moment they are made until they arrive at Freshpet Fridges in your local market.

Freshpet foods are available in select mass, grocery, natural food, club, and pet specialty retailers across the United States, Canada and are currently testing in the United Kingdom. From the care Freshpet takes to source their ingredients and make their food, to the moment it reaches your home, Freshpet’s integrity, transparency and social responsibility are the way they like to run their business. To learn more, visit www.freshpet.com

Connect with Freshpet:

https://www.facebook.com/Freshpet 

https://twitter.com/Freshpet 

http://instagram.com/Freshpet 

http://pinterest.com/Freshpet 

https://plus.google.com/+Freshpet 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freshpet 

https://www.youtube.com/user/freshpet400 

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements in this release may constitute “forward-looking” statements. These statements are based on management's current opinions, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or projections regarding future events or future results. These forward-looking statements are only predictions, not historical fact, and involve certain risks and uncertainties, as well as assumptions. Actual results, levels of activity, performance, achievements and events could differ materially from those stated, anticipated or implied by such forward-looking statements. While Freshpet believes that its assumptions are reasonable, it is very difficult to predict the impact of known factors, and, of course, it is impossible to anticipate all factors that could affect actual results. There are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements made herein including, most prominently, the risks discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company's latest annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of this release. Freshpet undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law. If we do update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be made that we will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.

Non-GAAP Measures

Freshpet uses the following non-GAAP financial measures in its financial communications. These non-GAAP financial measures should be considered as supplements to the GAAP reported measures, should not be considered replacements for, or superior to, the GAAP measures and may not be comparable to similarly named measures used by other companies.

  • Adjusted SG&A expenses
  • Adjusted SG&A expenses as a % of net sales
  • EBITDA
  • Adjusted EBITDA

EBITDA represents net loss plus depreciation and amortization, interest expense, and income tax expense, and Adjusted EBITDA represents EBITDA plus loss on disposal of equipment, plant startup expense, share-based compensation, warrant fair valuation, secondary fees, leadership transition expenses, and launch expenses.

Freshpet defines Adjusted SG&A Expenses as SG&A Expenses before non-cash items related to share-based compensation, leadership transition expenses, and secondary fees.

Management believes that Adjusted SG&A, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, which are non-GAAP measures, are meaningful to investors because they provide a view of the Company with respect to ongoing operating results. Adjusted SG&A, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are shown as supplemental disclosures in this release because they are widely used by the investment community for analysis and comparative evaluation and provides additional metrics to evaluate the Company’s operations and, when considered with both the Company’s GAAP results and the reconciliation to SG&A and to net income (loss), provides a more complete understanding of the Company’s business than could be obtained absent this disclosure. Adjusted SG&A, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not and should not be considered an alternative to SG&A and net income (loss) or any other figure calculated in accordance with GAAP, or as an indicator of operating performance. The Company’s calculation of Adjusted SG&A, and Adjusted EBITDA may differ from methods used by other companies. Management believes that these non-GAAP measures are important to an understanding of the Company's overall operating results in the periods presented. Adjusted SG&A, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not recognized in accordance with GAAP and should not be viewed as an alternative to GAAP measures of performance.

We have not reconciled our expected Adjusted EBITDA to net income under “Outlook” because we have not finalized our calculations of several factors necessary to provide the reconciliation, including net income, interest expense and income tax expense. In addition, certain items that impact net income and other reconciling metrics are out of our control and/or cannot be reasonably predicted at this time.


FRESHPET INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
 
 June 30,
2016
  December 31,
2015
 
ASSETS       
CURRENT ASSETS:       
Cash and cash equivalents$1,719,089  $8,029,413 
Short-term investments    3,250,000 
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts 8,226,216   7,030,719 
Inventories, net 7,864,626   6,853,447 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 792,129   229,631 
Total Current Assets 18,602,060   25,393,210 
Property, plant and equipment, net 99,119,154   82,793,007 
Deposits on equipment 2,959,216   3,243,519 
Other assets 1,781,860   1,667,838 
Total Assets$122,462,290  $113,097,574 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY       
CURRENT LIABILITIES:       
Accounts payable 7,397,999   6,668,643 
Accrued expenses 4,960,313   2,274,557 
Accrued warrants 232,489   204,314 
Short-term borrowings under line of credit 8,000,000    
Total Current Liabilities$20,590,801  $9,147,514 
Total Liabilities$20,590,801  $9,147,514 
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:       
Common stock 33,573   33,537 
Additional paid-in capital 295,421,183   292,484,986 
Accumulated deficit (193,583,267)  (188,568,463)
Total Stockholders'  Equity 101,871,489   103,950,060 
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity$122,462,290  $113,097,574 


FRESHPET INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS 
(Unaudited)
 
  For the Three Months Ended  For the Six Months Ended 
  June 30,  June 30, 
  2016  2015  2016  2015 
NET SALES $33,002,209  $28,359,404  $64,455,910  $55,414,078 
COST OF GOODS SOLD  18,090,405   14,699,240   34,656,218   28,500,895 
GROSS PROFIT  14,911,804   13,660,164   29,799,692   26,913,183 
SELLING, GENERAL, AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES  17,886,746   15,738,247   34,373,829   31,415,845 
LOSS FROM OPERATIONS  (2,974,942)  (2,078,083)  (4,574,137)  (4,502,662)
OTHER EXPENSES:                
Other Expenses, net  (93,768)  (24,888)  (134,637)  (134,844)
Interest Expense  (159,292)  (110,679)  (276,030)  (148,218)
   (253,060)  (135,567)  (410,667)  (283,062)
LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES  (3,228,002)  (2,213,650)  (4,984,804)  (4,785,724)
INCOME TAX EXPENSE  15,000   15,000   30,000   30,000 
NET LOSS  (3,243,002)  (2,228,650)  (5,014,804)  (4,815,724)
NET LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS $(3,243,002) $(2,228,650) $(5,014,804) $(4,815,724)
NET LOSS PER SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS                
-BASIC $(0.10) $(0.07) $(0.15) $(0.14)
-DILUTED $(0.10) $(0.07) $(0.15) $(0.14)
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OUTSTANDING USED
  IN COMPUTING NET LOSS PER SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON 
  STOCKHOLDERS
                
-BASIC  33,554,395   33,484,997   33,545,837   33,477,415 
-DILUTED  33,554,395   33,484,997   33,545,837   33,477,415 


FRESHPET INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
 
 For the Six Months Ended 
 June 30, 
  2016   2015 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:       
Net loss$(5,014,804) $(4,815,724)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash flows provided by operating activities:       
Provision for losses on accounts receivable 10,403   24,001 
Loss on disposal of equipment and deposits on equipment 158,612   80,679 
Share based compensation 2,671,418   3,664,450 
Fair value adjustment for outstanding warrants 28,175   70,163 
Change in reserve for inventory obsolescence 128,112   (5,031)
Depreciation and amortization 4,237,677   3,624,282 
Amortization of deferred financing costs and loan discount 72,069   70,974 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities       
Accounts receivable (1,205,900)  (961,132)
Inventories (1,139,291)  (492,074)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (562,498)  601,725 
Other assets (160,372)  (44,947)
Accounts payable 1,534,916   739,238 
Accrued expenses 2,685,756   (497,140)
Net cash flows provided by operating activities 3,444,273   2,059,464 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:       
Purchases of short-term investments    (7,499,205)
Proceeds from maturities of short-term investments 3,250,000    
Acquisitions of property, plant and equipment, software and deposits on equipment (21,248,425)  (10,035,332)
Acquisitions of land and building    (4,979,710)
Proceeds from sale of equipment 10,672    
Net cash flows used in investing activities (17,987,753)  (22,514,247)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:       
Exercise of options to purchase common stock 233,156   242,456 
Proceeds from borrowings under line of credit 8,000,000    
Net cash flows provided by financing activities 8,233,156   242,456 
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (6,310,324)  (20,212,327)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR 8,029,413   36,259,252 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD$1,719,089  $16,046,925 


FRESHPET INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
RECONCILIATON BETWEEN NET LOSS AND ADJUSTED EBITDA
(Unaudited)
 
(Amounts in thousands)
Certain totals may not sum due to rounding
 
  Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended 
  June 30,  June 30, 
  2016  2015  2016  2015 
Net loss $(3,243) $(2,229) $(5,015) $(4,816)
Depreciation and amortization  2,166   1,869   4,237   3,624 
Interest expense  159   111   276   149 
Income tax expense  15   15   30   30 
EBITDA $(903) $(234) $(472) $(1,013)
Loss on disposal of equipment  15   72   159   81 
Launch expense (a)  588   596   1,310   1,400 
Plant startup expenses and processing (b)  430      668    
Noncash stock based compensation (c)  1,665   1,804   2,671   3,664 
Warrant fair valuation (d)  86   (44)  28   70 
Secondary fees (e)     593      593 
Leadership transition expenses (f)  1,580      1,580    
Adjusted EBITDA $3,461  $2,787  $5,944  $4,795 


(a)        Represents new store marketing allowance of $1,000 for each store added to our distribution network as well as the non-capitalized freight costs associated with Freshpet Fridge replacements. The expense enhances the overall marketing spend to support our growing distribution network.

(b)        Represents additional operating costs incurred in 2016 in connection with the startup of our new manufacturing lines as part of the Freshpet Kitchens expansion project.

(c)        Represents non-cash stock based compensation expense.

(d)        Represents the change of fair value for the outstanding warrants.

(e)        Represents fees associated with the secondary public offering of our common stock, which was completed on May 5, 2015.

(f)         Represents charges associated within our former Chief Executive Officer’s separation agreement as well as incremental costs association with leadership transition.


FRESHPET INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
RECONCILIATON BETWEEN SG&A EXPENSES AND ADJUSTED SG&A EXPENSES
(Unaudited)
 
(Amounts in thousands)
Certain totals may not sum due to rounding
 
  Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended 
  June 30,  June 30, 
  2016  2015  2016  2015 
SG&A Expenses (as reported) $17,887  $15,738  $34,374  $31,416 
Noncash stock based compensation (a)  1,609   1,733   2,566   3,519 
Secondary fees (b)     593      593 
Leadership transition expenses (c)  1,580      1,580    
Adjusted SG&A Expenses $14,698  $13,412  $30,228  $27,304 
Adjusted SG&A Expenses as a % of sales                
Adjusted SG&A Expenses $14,698  $13,412  $30,228  $27,304 
Net Sales $33,002  $28,359  $64,456  $55,414 
Adjusted SG&A Expense as a % of sales  44.5%  47.3%  46.9%  49.3%


(a)        Represents non-cash stock based compensation expense.

(b)        Represents fees associated with the secondary public offering of our common stock, which was completed on May 5, 2015.

(c)        Represents charges associated within our former Chief Executive Officer’s separation agreement as well as incremental costs association with leadership transition.

 


            

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